The Buchan Area Committee met on Tuesday 17 March 2026, discussing a planning application for a dwellinghouse at Richmond Hill Farm, Peterhead, which was ultimately refused. The committee also approved the commencement of statutory procedures to reduce waiting restrictions on Balmoor Terrace to facilitate a new pedestrian crossing and received an update on various Peterhead projects.

Planning Application Refused for Richmond Hill Farm

The committee refused planning permission in principle for the erection of a dwellinghouse and associated works at Land at Richmond Hill Farm, Peterhead. The application, submitted by Mr Craig Finnie, was recommended for refusal by officers due to several policy breaches.

The main reasons for refusal centred on the principle of development, with the application failing to demonstrate the long-term viability of the farm enterprise. Officers noted that a significant portion of the land relied upon was short-term rented without security of tenure, and owned land included constraints such as woodland within the National Forest Inventory and land allocated for commercial development. Crucially, no business plan or accounts were submitted to support claims of viability.

Furthermore, the application failed to adequately discount other potential accommodation options, including existing properties within Peterhead and brownfield sites, such as a disused building on the applicant's own land. The proposed location was also criticised for resulting in the unnecessary loss of woodland without compensatory planting and for not being sited at the established farm hub. Concerns were also raised about the proposed access and servicing, with a failure to demonstrate that connection to public infrastructure was not feasible.

The decision to refuse was in line with Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan (ALDP) 2023 Policy R2 (Development Proposals Elsewhere in the Countryside) and National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) Policy 17 (Rural homes), as well as other relevant policies concerning design, landscape, and service provision.

Reduction of Waiting Restrictions on Balmoor Terrace Approved

The committee approved the commencement of statutory procedures to implement a reduction of existing 'At any time' waiting restrictions on Balmoor Terrace, Peterhead. This measure is necessary to facilitate the introduction of a new controlled pedestrian crossing, known as a PEDEX crossing.

The existing 'At any time' restrictions will be shortened by 53 metres on the eastbound carriageway and 43 metres on the westbound carriageway. These will be replaced by zig-zag road markings, which define the controlled area of the new crossing. The report noted that while the length of the restricted area is reduced, the overall effectiveness of the restrictions remains the same. The works will be funded as part of the pedestrian crossing construction, which is being funded by Nestrans. The committee also approved in principle the subsequent making of the order, provided no valid objections are received.

Update on Peterhead Projects

The committee received an update on key Aberdeenshire Council-led or facilitated projects in Peterhead. The report highlighted progress on the Peterhead Community Campus and the Peterhead Cultural Quarter.

Peterhead Community Campus: Key milestones for the education campus at Kinmundy are on track, with procurement and tendering completed. Financial close and mobilisation are expected by April 2026, with on-site construction scheduled to begin in late April 2026 and continue until mid-June 2028. Development of active travel routes to the campus is also progressing, with feedback from local pupils being incorporated. Engagement with Peterhead Academy's leadership team and stakeholders is ongoing. Discussions are also underway regarding the retention and upgrade of existing community and leisure facilities at Site 2, and the future of the wider site following the demolition of the academy buildings.

Peterhead Cultural Quarter: Work continues on the Peterhead Cultural Quarter, part of the Cultural Tides: North Sea Connections in Aberdeenshire programme. For the construction works at Arbuthnot House, commercial close and conclusion of Gateway Stage 3 are anticipated in March 2026, with construction beginning in April 2026 and completing in December 2027. Further planning consents are being sought for boundary wall works and the demolition of a shed, as well as internal works at Arbuthnot House. A joint media release confirming the Tier 1 contractor is expected upon commercial close. The fit-out of the museum is being delivered as a separate but coordinated piece of work, with National Lottery Heritage Fund Stage 1 funding approved and Stage 2 funding anticipated. Key milestones for the fit-out include funding submissions, procurement, and on-site installation throughout 2027 and 2028. Engagement sessions are planned for museum naming, library facilities, and with local schools. Delays have been encountered with planning and listed building consent submissions for the Carnegie building works, but these are expected shortly.